“Imagine Going to the Hospital and There Is No Bed” — Lasisi Elenu on Nigeria’s Healthcare FNA NEWS, LAGOS NIGERIA,11th of September, 2026
Nigerian comedian and content creator Lasisi Elenu has drawn attention to the challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system, questioning what happens to patients who need urgent care but cannot find space in a hospital.
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In a recently circulated video, Lasisi spoke about the frustration of seeking medical treatment in Nigeria, highlighting situations where patients are told there is no available bed. He also called for urgent improvement in the country’s healthcare system. ([Arise News][1])
His comments have reopened an important conversation about access to healthcare, hospital capacity and the experience of patients navigating the Nigerian health system.
But there is another part of this conversation that should not be overlooked.
Healthcare workers are also first-hand victims of a struggling health system.
A hospital with too few beds can become overcrowded. A hospital with too few healthcare workers places greater pressure on the professionals available to provide care.
Nurses, doctors, midwives and other health professionals often work under demanding conditions, managing high patient loads while dealing with limited resources, staffing gaps and the emotional pressure that comes with caring for sick people.
The problem goes beyond workload.
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Remuneration, working conditions, career progression and job security all influence whether health professionals remain in the system. When experienced workers leave for better opportunities elsewhere, those who remain can face even greater pressure.
The World Health Organization has repeatedly identified health-worker shortages and unequal distribution of the workforce as major challenges for African health systems. Its 2026 regional health workforce agenda also emphasises the need to strengthen and retain the continent’s health workforce. ([WHO | Regional Office for Africa][2])
This means the conversation cannot simply be about building more hospitals or increasing the number of beds.
Nigeria needs a health system that is adequately funded, properly staffed and capable of supporting the people responsible for delivering care.
Lasisi Elenu’s question about what happens when there is no bed therefore points to a much bigger question:
What happens when there are not enough beds, not enough staff and not enough support for the people expected to keep the system running?
Patients deserve better healthcare.
Healthcare workers deserve a system that allows them to provide it.
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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support nurses across Africa.
Durowoju Abisola is a registered nurse, nurse writer and On-Air Correspondent at Fellow Nurses Africa (FNA), passionate about nursing leadership, health education and advocacy.
Through journalism, storytelling and content creation, she amplifies important conversations around nursing, healthcare and the experiences of nurses in Nigeria. She is committed to using her voice and professional knowledge to educate the public, challenge misconceptions and inspire the next generation of nurses.
